Alternate payment models for an episode of arthroplasty care: Are they good for patients?

Alternative payment models are proliferating and are being viewed by many as a likely path for improvement in the cost structure of health care delivery. Despite the promise to reduce the increase in spending for government and other payers, of equal importance is the impact on patient outcomes and experience. As data accumulates to address this question, it is critical that developers of such payment models follow key principles that are designed to ensure that such a significant alteration in the payment structures turn out to be beneficial for the recipients of care. Payment reform that results in improvements in factors important to patients are likely to prove durable, whereas those that threaten patient access or experience are not likely to stand.